16 Tasty Mocktails To Spice Up Your Holidays

No alcohol? No problem! With these festive mocktails in hand, you’re sure to have a very merry time this season.

Pregnancy sure has a way of taking the fun out of holiday cocktails. But you don’t have to completely say arrivederci to your Bellinis just because baby’s on the way—you can still enjoy the taste of your favorite—albeit without the alcohol. Here, some of our favorite mocktail recipes to spice up your holiday celebrations.

1. Sparkling Berry and Pomegranate Mocktail

Holiday meals tend to be deliciously heavy. One way to balance it all? Keep things light and fresh with your mocktails. This one, from Casa de Crews, goes easy on ingredients but big on color and flavor.

Ingredients

2 12-ounce cans of Dasani Sparkling Berry Water, chilled

4 ounces fresh pomegranate juice

8 to 12 cranberries, for garnish

4 to 8 sprigs of thyme, for garnish

Instructions
In a highball glass, add half the serving of Dasani Sparkling Berry Water, 1 ounce of the pomegranate juice and two to three cranberries. Top with one to two sprigs of thyme for garnish. Repeat to make three more mocktails (ingredients make enough for four in total).

Photo:
iStock

2. Cran-Raspberry Martini

Any menu of mocktails worth its salt better include a martini option. This one, created by dietician Lara Metz, RD, CDN, has all the makings of a cosmopolitan, without the vodka.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/2 cup raspberry flavored sparkling water

A splash of all-natural cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail

1 tablespoon crushed raspberries

Instructions
Pour first three ingredients into a martini glass, then slide a few raspberries onto a thin stirrer to garnish.

Photo:
iSi Classic Sodamaker

3. Peppermint Orange Syrup Soda

Nothing says the holidays like peppermint-infused mocktails. This wintery mocktail recipe calls for a zesty simple syrup to spice up some soda water.

Instructions
Heat 1 3/4 cups water and the sugar on medium heat and allow it to come to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from stovetop, stir in the peppermint and orange zest and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and chill overnight. To make the soda water, fill the iSi Classic Sodamaker with cold water. Screw on one iSi soda charger and shake vigorously. The ensure the water is really fizzy, refrigerate for one to two hours. To serve, dilute the peppermint orange syrup with the soda water and enjoy.

Photo:
iStock

4. Mock Sangria

In this version of Sangria, from Taz Bhatia, MD, an integrative health expert, berries and peaches are a fun alternative to the traditional chopped apples and orange slices. Mocktails, ole!

5. Ombré Grapefruit Mocktail

This mocktail recipe from Handmade Mood proves even mocktails can be works of art. The different densities of the ingredients create a beautiful ombré effect, perfect to wow your holiday guests. Served in a champagne glass, it’s elegant enough for an evening party but refreshing enough (thanks to the grapefruit) to suit a brunch as well.

Ingredients

2 cups grapefruit juice, chilled

1/4 cup simple syrup

1 can Sprite or 7Up, chilled

Grenadine

Ice

Instructions
Add 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and two tablespoons of simple syrup to each glass. Top each off with the soda and a teaspoon of grenadine. You can add a stir stick or straw, but don’t stir until after it’s served (or else it will no longer be ombré!).

Photo:
iStock

6. Moscow Mule

Cne of the most popular of the classic mocktails, this recipe from Laura Metz is sure to add some festive flair to any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

1/2 cup club soda

1/4 cup ginger beer or ginger ale

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Instructions
Mix all the ingredients in a lined copper mug (if you have one) along with some crushed ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

7. Ginger Basil Grapefruit Mimosa

Mimosa mocktails are the perfect way to kick off a festive family brunch. Infusing citrus, spicy ginger and herbs, this mocktail recipe—by 1-2 Simple Cooking—is sure to brighten your day.

Ingredients

1 grapefruit plus additional grapefruit for garnish

3 12-ounce cans of ginger ale

1/4 cup basil simple syrup (scroll down for recipe)

Handful of fresh basil

Ice

Instructions
Juice one large grapefruit and segment additional grapefruit for an optional garnish. Fill a pitcher halfway with ice. Pour the ginger ale, fresh grapefruit juice and simple syrup, and mix well. Garnish with grapefruit slices and fresh basil.

Basil simple syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil

Warm the sugar and water in a small pan over medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved, about two minutes. Add the basil. Allow to steep for 15 to 20 minutes, then strain and discard basil. Place the syrup in a glass tupperware container or squeeze bottle, if you have it. Cover and chill for a couple hours.

Photo:
Courtesy of Vero Beach Hotel & Spa

8. Tiki Mai

Spice up your holiday mocktails menu with this Tiki Mai refreshment from the bartenders of Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. This non-alcoholic holiday punch is reminiscent of a Mai Tai, minus the rum.

Ingredients

1 ounce pineapple juice

1 ounce orange juice

A splash of grenadine

1/2 ounce pineapple simple syrup (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
Add the ingredients in a tin of ice, then stir and strain into a specialty glass over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with charred orange rind.

Photo:
iStock

9. Safe Sex on the Beach

The lack of booze won’t stop you from falling head over heels for this cleverly named drink, created by Lara Metz. (Who doesn’t enjoy their mocktails with a side of humor?)

Ingredients

1/2 cup sparkling water

1/4 cup cranberry juice

1/4 cup grapefruit juice

1/4 cup peach nectar

Instructions
Mix the ingredients together and pour into a martini glass.

Photo:
iSi Classic Sodamaker

10. Peach Buttermilk Shake

Who says holiday mocktails can’t double as dessert? This non-alcoholic shake calls for a scoop of ice cream and is a sweet way to end (or even start) a scrumptious holiday meal.

Instructions
To make the soda water, fill your iSi Classic Sodamaker with cold water, screw on the soda charger and shake vigorously. Refrigerate for one to two hours to ensure the water is really fizzy. Peel and dice the peach. Place all the ingredients in a glass, then top with the soda water and garnish with fruit.

12. Lemon Berry Colada

Whether you’re spending the holidays beach-side or celebrating Christmas in July (for which mocktails are surely in order), kick back and relax with this fruit-filled tropical non-alcoholic drink from Bijoux and Bits.

Ingredients

8 parts lemonade

2 parts light coconut milk

1 part grenadine

Frozen blueberries

Frozen orange juice cubes

Instructions
Mix together all ingredients in a glass. Garnish with some fresh-squeezed frozen orange juice cubes (these will keep the drink cold without watering it down) and serve cold.

Photo:
iStock

13. Sparkling Soda and Fruit Garnish

It’s pretty exciting when a bartender serves up a fancy drink, complete with all the trimmings—but simple, refreshing mocktails can be just as tasty. This mocktail recipe from Lara Metz uses fresh fruit to add a touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

1 can of seltzer (flavor optional)

Fresh fruit of your choosing (berries work well)

Instructions
Pour seltzer water into glass over crushed ice, then slide fruit onto a skewer and garnish.

14. Good Morning Sunburst

With so much to celebrate during the holidays, every morning is a good morning. Why not match the mood with a round of sunny mocktails? This Sunburst drink from The Worktop, with its bright colors and piney rosemary taste, is a perfect start to your holiday.

Ingredients

1/2 cup orange juice, frozen into ice cubes

8 ounces sparkling water

1 splash grenadine syrup

1 splash vanilla syrup (optional)

1 sprig rosemary

Instructions
Place two orange juice ice cubes into a 12-ounce glass. Add in sparkling water, then slowly pour in the grenadine syrup. If you like, slowly pour in the vanilla syrup. Serve with a sprig of rosemary and a straw.

Photo:
iStock

15. Pink Pomegranate Sparkler

Another offering from Lara Metz, this is one of the easiest holiday mocktails to make (and simply delicious to drink)—just gather your ingredients and pour for a very merry time.

Instructions
Fill the iSi Classic Sodamaker with cold water. Screw on one iSi soda charger and shake vigorously. To ensure the water is really fizzy, refrigerate for one to two hours. To serve, cut the cucumber and lemon into slices. Place all ingredients in a glass, top with soda water from the Sodamaker and garnish with lemon.